Chapter Fourteen

"Lin Xiu, he's a human. You didn't need to be so harsh on him," Qing Fang reprimanded.

"If he wants to survive in the Wudan sect, then he must endure this. I was simply testing his capability. One thousand squats and a bit of starving reduced him to nothing. He couldn't even endure this - how despicable. Such a weakling, yet he dares to fight the puppet master. When the Shifu of the Wudan sect trains him for a day, he may also end up being a comma for a while," Lin Xiu mocked.

"You're so cold-hearted that you are being cruel to this human."

Using his magic, Lin calmed Xing's body temperature and cleared his bruises.

Xing woke up shortly after. He felt inner aches before taking notice of the Heavenly King beside him. "Your Highness."

"I've told you to call me Qing Fang and stop the formality," Qing Fang said.

"I apologize, Your Highness, but it's inappropriate for a commoner to call the Heavenly Emperor by his name," Xing said.

"Fine, I came here to inform you that you'll be sent to the Wudan sect. Get ready, Lin will drop you off."

'Him?' Xing thought.

"Don't worry about his rude attitude, I've talked to him, so hopefully he'll be nice to you during this trip," Qing Fang said with a stiff smile as he patted Lin Xiu's shoulder and headed back.

"Listen up, while you're at the Wudan Sect, try not to disgrace me, and quickly return back if you're unable to withstand the rigorous training over there," Lin Xiu advised, yet he seemed to be making fun of Xing.

"Chao Xing never backs down, neither. Just wait, I'll return after attaining some skills, Milord," Xing said.

"Hmm," Lin nodded as he walked to his cupboard and brought out some scrolls.

"Here! Take this and practice... it'll save you when you get in trouble," Lin Xiu said, handing the scrolls to Xing.

Opening the scroll to view it, Xing found that there was nothing written in it.

"Lin Xiu, there's nothing written in it," Xing said with a confused expression as he tossed the scrolls to check for any written words.

"What was the instruction?" Lin Xiu asked, feeling irritated.

"It'll save me when I'm in trouble at Mount Shu Sect," Chao Xing stated.

"Are you in a situation right now?" Lin asked, feeling increasingly annoyed.

"Ohhh," Xing said as he realized Lin Xiu's point.

With that, Chao Xing kept the scroll in his baggage and prepared to head to Mount Shu.

At that moment, a flying horse carriage appeared with Qing Fang's swordsman in it, with a brief smile.

"Zhu Ran!" Xing exclaimed with a jovial smile.

"Milord," Zhu Ran said with a bow.

"You're the one assigned to take Chao Xing to Mount Shu safely. I entrust him in your hands, Zhu Ran," Lin Xiu said as he patted Zhu Ran's back.

Zhu Ran turned and smiled at Chao Xing, giving him a quick nod.

"Let's head out," Zhu Ran said as he helped Chao Xing up the high carriage.

The carriage took off and headed up into the sky.

"Master Lin Xiu must value you a lot to allow you to go to Mount Shu Sect," Zhu Ran said with a smile.

"Tsk, it's all a show. It's because His Majesty Qing Fang persuaded him. Otherwise, he'd rather have sent me to the dogs to stray," Xing sighed.

"Mount Shu Sect is a renowned sect known for its high-upholding reputation and has been there for thousands of years. The training would be hard, as many will try to bully you because of your weak human nature. If you really want to save your family and your village, you'll have to endure and pass through this," Zhu Ran said.

"How long would it take before I'm able to get stronger?"

"There's no rush, patience makes perfect," Zhu Ran spoke with much enthusiasm.

Hours passed, and they arrived at Mount Shu. The sect looked different from what Chao Xing had imagined. It looked like a small town, filled with many disciples, each with a symbol on their forehead, which Zhu Ran explained was their birth symbol - the source of their power.

Zhu Ran led the way for Xing into a small residence. It had a beautiful scenery, with flowers more beautiful than those in the Heavenly Realm, and fish in the pond that looked very attractive, though Xing's eyes seemed to be focused on them as potential food.

Zhu Ran could guess what was on Xing's mind, and he warned, "Those fishes are very valuable to Master Stincs! I'd advise you not to provoke her, as she loves those fishes a lot."

They went inside the residence to greet the master. The room's decor was indeed fascinating, with sword designs on the walls and many magical items around it. There was a small chair, which Xing guessed was for visitors who came to see the swordmaster.

"Master, we've arrived,"

"Zhu Ran said, 'There's no one inside....who's he paying respect too?' Xing thought.

"How insolent!" Master Stincs appeared out of thin air, hitting Xing with her hand that led him to kneeling down.

"Urgggh," Xing growled in pain.

"Master, please pardon. He's the young human Lord sent by Master Lin Xiu and the heavenly king, he knows nothing of how we deal here," Zhu Ran said.

"I see, so he's Chao Xing of Spring Village. It is indeed brave of you, a mere human to summon the audacity to train at Mount Shu Sect," the Sword Master spoke with a smile as she drank some tea.

"Understood, he'll be well trained for over here. His grace's has nothing to worry about," Master Stincs said in a dismissing manner toward Zhu Ran.

"I'll take my leave, Milord," Zhu Ran said, and soon after, he was nowhere to be found.

Chao Xing breathed a sigh of sadness, yet he had to accept his sudden fate, for Spring Village.

"You'll be training with my sword, till then you'll reside in the Emotionless Room until you're able to tame my sword." She threw the sword at Xing, which immediately started misbehaving. Xing couldn't believe how hard it was just trying to hold a sword that was acting pretty much aggressive."